BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Guangzhou, capital of south China'sGuangdong Province, is equipping ambulances with satellite navigation technology and setting up a new state-of-the-art first-aid center in a bid to improve medical facilities and response times, China Daily reported Friday.

    The city's existing main first-aid complex already had its computer system and Intranet facilities upgraded, along with smaller stations across the city, according to Lu Yande, deputy director of Guangzhou Health Bureau.

    The main center has also begun to install the city's ambulanceswith the global position system (GPS), to give warning to ambulances in case of traffic jams or other unexpected incidents on the road.

    Extra ambulances have been purchased to increase the city's fleet.

    The upgrade of the computer and Intranet system, and the installation of GPS, will cost about 2 million yuan (246,600 US dollars), according to the Beijing-based newspaper.

    Lu said that the measures are expected to make big improvements to existing first-aid operations in the city.

    Guangzhou set up its first-aid centre and first-aid medical treatment network in 1989 and now has 40 stations, 136 ambulances,one air relief site, one sea relief complex and a first-aid pioneer team.

    "It is highly necessary to make improvements to the city's existing out-of-date first-aid infrastructure to be able to respond immediately to first-aid reports and unexpected accidents," the official said.

    He said that the new system would make it possible for the first-aid service operators to be online for instant information.

    A new high-standard first-aid center, which will cover an area of 5,000 square meters, is expected to be operational by 2010 when the city hosts the Asian Games, said Lu. Enditem